Crocheting-needle.



E. S HAWKINS CROCHETING NEEDLE. APPLICATION men JUNE 20. 1916.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

ELLA SUE HAWKINS, OF ACTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

CROOHETING-NEEDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916,

' Application filed June 20, 1916. Serial Na 104,685.

- specification.

separable so that the as an inclosing means for the needle p oper This invention relates to needles, and has particular reference to improvements in crocheting-or other needles having a needle portion proper and a handle port1o n, the principal object of the invention being to so construct these portions as to render them handle may be utilized when the same is not in use to preven the hook upon the end of the needle portion proper from catching in other articles carried in a basket or bag in which the needle has been placed, and to also obviate the liability of breakage or mutilation of the hook, due to its contact with other articles.

The invention contemplates the provision of a hollow handle having an open end to receive a portion of the needle proper to support the same in an operative position, the handlebeing adapted to receive the needle proper when the article is not in use, and it is another object of theinvention to soconstruct the two sections of'the needle 1 that the flattened linger engaging portion as commonly provided upon the needle proper, will act as a stop means to limit the movement of the needle proper within the handle when the article is in either an operative or inoperative position.

A further object of the invention is. to provide a. needle of this character which will have the two parts thereof so constructed as to permit of the operation of the needle proper from an operative to an inoperative 7 position or vice VerSa with respect to the handle in a minimum of times and withbut slight exertion, and to provide a construction of this character which will be practical, as well as thoroughly reliable and eificient.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists 1n the novel features of construct-ion, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

,In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the preferred embodiment proper arranged in of the invention with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the needle an inoperative position within the handle. Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation of the separated parts of a slightly modified form of the invention. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of another slight modification, the two parts of the article in this instance, however, being shown in engaged relation. Fig. 5 is a transverse section in the line 5-5 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a further modification; and Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of still another modification.

Referring to the drawings by numerals,

and more partlcularly to Figs. 1 and 2,.

wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, 1 designates the terminating in a hook 4 and an intermediately flattened finger engaging portion 5. Theshank 3 is screw threaded for a portion of its length adjacent one end ofthe flattened. portion 5, as indicated at 6, a shoulder 7 being thus provided between the shank and flattened portion adjacent its edges, for a purpose which will presently appear. The opposite end of theflattened portion terminates in a threaded stud 8 which sponding to the size of the threaded portion of the shank 3, and in a manner similar to the first mentioned shoulder, a second shoulder 9 is provided between this stud and the flattened portion, for a purpose which Will likewise presently appear.

is of a size in cross section corre- The handle 2 is of a tubular construction and is preferably closed at one end and open at the other,the internal diameter thereof corresponding to the diameter of the shank 3 and stud 8 of the needle portion proper,

desired to adjust the shank or needle proper to an operative position with respect to the handle, from the position shown in Fig. 2 the shank is merely unscrewed from engagement with the threads 10 and then withdrawn from the handle and reversed so that the stud 8 maybe threaded into the handle and. of course in adjusting the shank to an inoperative position withinthe handle the stud 8 is unscrewed and the shank arranged within the handle and the threads of the stud 8 engaged with the threads 10, the shoulders 7 and 9 in either instance serving to limit such threading operation, as will be understood, so that while the shank will be retained securely engaged with the handle,

no binding action of the threads 6 and 8 with the threads 10 will take place, as would be the case were the shoulders not provided thereby permitting of the ready actuation of the sections 1 and 2 from an operative to an inoperative position or vice .versa.' Ihus it will be seen that when the shank is arranged within the handle and the needle placed within a work basket or the like the hook 4; will be prevented from catching in or becoming tangled with other articles in the basket.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings a slight modifi cation of the invention has been illustrated which consists in providing the handle 2, adjacent its open end, with an annular depression 11 to be engaged by either of the annular enlargements 12 or vl3 upon the shank ,3 or stud 8, respectively, the operation of this embodiment of the invention consisting in merely snapping the parts in engagement. It is to be noted that the shoulders between the flattened portion and the shank and stud in this instance are also adapted for engagement with the end of the handle to limit the movementof the needle portion proper therein.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another slight modification which is somewhat similar to the showing in the modification just mentioned, in that depressions 14 are provided in the handle to receive the enlargements 15 and '16 on the shank and stud respectively of the needle portion proper. In this embodiment, however, the depressions and enlargements do not extend throughout the circumference of the handle, shank and stud, but extend only partially therearound so that rotation of the needle portion relative to the handle is prevented.

In Fig. 6 the stud has been shown as split to provide spring tongues 17 which are adapted for frictional engagement with the handle, the shank being split likewise as at 18 for a similar purpose.

As illustrated in Fig. 7 the handle has a bayonet slot 19 formed therein to be engaged by either of the pins 20 or 21 upon the shank or stud respectively of the needle portion.

It is to be noted that the same general method of operation is prevalent in each of the forms of the invention, and also that in every instance the shoulders between the shank and flattened portion and the stud and flattened portion cooperate with the securing means between the handle and the needle portion to limit movement of the needle portion within the handle, for the purposes previously mentioned.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that the construction and operation of the improved needle will be clearly understood, and while I have herein shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited therein, except for such limitations as claims may import.

What is claimed is j 1. A needle including a shank having a flattened portion formed intermediately thereof, a tubular handle to receive either end of the shank adjacent opposite ends of the flattened portion, the flattened portion being adapted to abut the handle to limit movement of the shank therein, for the purpose set forth.

2. A needle including a shank having a flattened portion. formed intermediately thereof, a tubular handle to receive either end of the shank, the said shank, adjacent either end of the-flattened portion, being provided with means for positive and detachable engagement with the handle, for the purpose set forth,

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ELLA SUE HAWKINS.

Witnesses:

J. B. CAIN, E. S. RIoKMAN. 

